Horticulture Awards Program

The Horticulture Awards Program recognizes outstanding achievement in the growth and propagation of aquatic plants. The HAP also seeks knowledge of aquatic plants and their requirements, with the added benefit of gorgeous aquariums. The HAP Program also hopes to establish a record of aquatic plant species and their required conditions, to be available to all members.

All members are eligible for the Aquatic Horticulture Award Program. If a member does not renew his/her membership, their points will be kept on the “inactive” list until they renew their membership once again.

.1To recognize and encourage achievement in the cultivation and propagation of aquatic plants

.2To obtain and disseminate information about aquatic plants and their requirements.

.3To identify new aquatic plant species and conditions required for their care.

.4To establish a record of aquatic plant species and their required maintenance.

2.0ELIGIBILITY:

.1All Circle City Aqurium Club (CCAC) members in good standing.

3.0THE HORTICULTURE AWARDS PROGRAM (HAP)

.1The HAP committee will consist of a Chairperson and one or more appointed members.The committee will only be needed for disputes and will be appointed at such time.

.2The HAP Chairperson shall be appointed by the installed officers of CCAC. Committee members will be appointed by HAP Chairperson.

.3The HAP Chairperson is responsible for the overall management and execution of the CCAC Aquatic Horticultural Awards Program. The duties of the Chairperson are, but not limited to:

.3.1Ensure accurate and complete records are kept permanently on file.

.3.2Verify propagation; assign points, and awards in accordance with HAP. Disputes will be settled by the HAP Committee.

.3.3Review HAP rules and regulation annually. Amendments and/or changes must be prior to next calendar year.

4.0CRITERIA:

.1Plants reproduced must conform with the following definition of an aquatic plant: ” An aquatic plant is one which, in the wild or native state, can be grown in the submerged state as a normal occurrence at some time during the course of any complete season. An aquatic plant must be able to grow and reproduce while submerged or immersed and not be harmed by such submersion.”

.2Plants are to be identified by the aquarists and verified by a member HAP committee. Unidentified plants will be assigned an alphanumeric code until identified and awarded points based on the plant’s genus or most closely related species.

Note: Suggested source reference(s):

Aquarium Plants by Christel Kasselman

Aquarium Plants by Dr. Rataj & Thomas Horeman

Encyclopedia of Water Plants by Dr. Jiri Stodola.

.2.1Verification and registration for all species propagation listed in Class A through D are verified by the HAP Chairman and in the case of Class F, will be verified twice; when flowering and once again as prescribed in HAP Propagation Requirements.

.2.2Hybrids or “crosses” will be recognized but are limited to five variants (dimorphism). Hybrids or crosses are assigned to Class G and cannot receive points for flowering.

.2.3Aquatic plants not listed in the point classification will be assigned points by HAP chair upon request.

.3In order to have points recorded, the aquarist must submit the completed HAP Form to and HAP chairman. Forms are available during the general meetings or through the HAP forum.

.4Propagation or flowering must take place at the aquarist’s tank or pond.

.5Any member of the CCAC is authorized to witness HAP entry and will provide signature and information deemed necessary by the HAP chair.

.6Any questions or suggestions concerning the HAP should be submitted to the HAP Chairperson.

5.0PROPAGATION REQUIREMENTS:

.1Vegetative Reproduction:

1.5.1.2 Cuttings (Bunch Plants). Cuttings must have produced roots and be at least the height of the original plant(s)(generally size offered for sale through the LFS’s)

2.5.1.3 Floating Plants. Double the size of the original source plant.

3.5.1.4 Adventitious. Adventitious plants must be grown for a minimum of 30 days and exhibit visible new growth after being separated from the parent plant.

4.5.1.5 Runner. Daughter plants must be separated from the runner and grown on their own and exhibit new growth.

5.5.1.6 Rhizome. A single division from the original plant, grow independently and exhibit visible new growth. Note: Bunch plants are not considered in this class.

6.5.1.7 Rosette. New plants must be divided from the basal rosette, grow independently and exhibit visible new growth.

2.Sexual Reproduction:

1.5.2.1 Seed. A single plant reproduced from seed from the parent plant. Seedling(s)must grow , exhibit visible new growth, and be recognizable from the parent plant.

2.5.2.2 Spore. Spores must be produced and new plants grown from the spores, exhibit visible new growth, and be recognizable from the parent.

3.5.2.3 Flowering. Must be verified in bloom and attached to plant.

6.0AQUATIC HORTICULTURISTS AWARDS:

.1Principal (Level I). Accumulate a minimum of 100points.

.2Advanced (Level II). Accumulate a minimum of 200 points.

.3Senior (Level III). Accumulate a minimum of 300 points

.4Expert (Level IV). Accumulate a minimum of 500 points.

.5Specialist (Level V). Accumulate a minimum of 700 points.

.6Master (Level VI). Accumulate a minimum 900 points.

.7Most prolific gardener – presented each year to the participant with the most HAP entries for that calendar year.

.8Chairman choice. Awarded for a HAP entry of outstanding difficulty or merit.

.9It is possible that this award may not be given in a given calendar year – not to be carried over

7.0PLANT CLASSIFICATION – The following is a list of species by point class. The list is not complete and is only intended as guide.